Question of the Week: 100 - 2/24/2003Why Are You A Pagan or Heathen?Why are you a Pagan or Heathen? What first attracted you to the Pagan/Heathen religion or path? How or where did you find out about Paganism?

How long have you considered yourself to be a Pagan/Heathen?

What is the most satisfying or meaningful aspect of the Pagan/Heathen religion, path or lifestyle for you?

It all started off rather innocently, a young devout christian child who asked way too many questions of her elders... When my pastor started to be unable to answer my questions and even tried dissuading me from asking them that I knew I had to look elsewhere to find the spiritual path I was meant for. I think every young girl is drawn to the mystical at some point during her transformation from child to woman- I simply started younger than others. I devoured everything I could get my hands on with regards to "fantasy" :celtic history and 'mythology', ghost stories and faery stories alike. I didn't realise until a few years later I was simply following my bloodline (thank you great grandmama!) From my father's lineage came the interest in Norse history and customs. By the time my poor parents realised what was going on, it was too late. My childhood belief in faeries and unicorns, dragons and all other unseen races had been solidified into certainty. And of course, my familial religion did not support those beliefs, could not believe the creatures I had seen and played with as anything other than minions of darkness.So I struck out on my own, and after a few years of research I have found my way to wicca. *sigh* A difficult road but worth it.

How long have I considered myself to be pagan? *grin* since my church pastor told me that even though anyone who asked God for forgiveness would receive it, Satan couldn't because he was the devil (forget the whole prodigal son parable and his being the first of all angels prior to his fall) . And then refused to baptise me. At that point I realised my concept of divinity and the nature of power would never coincide with my parents' beliefs and by extention, those of the christian church.

The most meaningful aspect? Reaching for the divinity without and hearing an answering cry from the divinity within.

I'm a Wiccan because I love nature. I love the sun, the moon and stars. I love the way the grass feels when it lurks between my toes, when I run bare foot in the field while having a picnic. I love the wetness of the rain when it hits my face, and when the moon light tans me with night time blackness. I love the Goddess and God, I love the animals and plants. I love the energies emerging as I chant or do a ritual under a full moon. I love the silent voice of wisdom that I get from my altar. I love using magick to make needed change in my life. If I'm ever feeling down on for any reason-I just close my eyes and ask the Goddess and God to give me strength to make me feel better. I love Wicca!

I am pagan because I am a free mind able to choose for myself. I use the word pagan only because people need deffinitions of things. I am a child of the earth and wish to live in balance with her and her other children. If by other's deffinitions that make me a pagan then so be it. I grew up in the church and found it severly lacking. It was not until I studied the pagan teachings in deapth and then embraced them that I found the peace I have searched for my whole life. It is not an easy path, but that is why it is so fulfilling to me. I know now that I have always walk this path and always will.

my motto "you've got to dance like no one's watching and love like it's never gonna hurt."

I am Pagan because I was born. I went to church as a child and although I was not uncomfortable there I found out that Paganism has been in my family through many generations. I was told to be careful of the "fine line" and that many Pagans in my family had converted to Christianity because they were scared of crossing the line. I did not choose to be Pagan I just am.The most satisfying part of being Pagan is that I don't feel obligated to fit in to society by judging others and thier religions, I get to be closer to "the Higher Power" by worshipping in a natural environment (nature) , and I have the satisfaction of being a good person no matter what other people think or feel. If all religions actually practiced what they preach then there would be no controversy over something that is supposed to make us better people. Blessed Be to All!

I guess I've always been a pagan. When I was younger (9 yrs. - 11 ys.) I didn't really go to church to learn, I went for the social interaction with my school friends. I'd always found an attraction to nature, and I considered myself a big mythology buff. At 12, my Sunday school class decided to teach us about the evils of the occult. Imagine my surprise when they told me that there really were witches (of *course* they served Satan you know) , but from that moment, I had to know more. It started a lifelong fascination with paganism, witchcraft and finally, I felt like I had come home. I officially started studying Wicca at 17, and I haven't looked back since.

Growing up I hated being made to feel ashamed of my feelings and thoughts.Being told I was bad because I questioned mainstream views on life choices and death.I was considered a bit odd while growing up since I had a tendency to do and say my own thing.I respect life and diversity.Growing up in a racist area, I never seemed to fit in aseven as a child the hate expressed by others seemed to upset me in a profound way.I hate to be preached to!!!And found high and mighty hypocrites left & right, which just pushed me farther off the main stream.I've always held Nature in high regard and ecology , we are all connected , ya know, and only discovered the word Pagan about 4 years ago.There's so many wars being fought today, trying to convert or irradecate others.It just all seems so foolish.My motto:"I'd like to buy the world a Coke and live in harmony!"Someday we might get there folks....Peace

I was primarily lead to paganism because it is a spiritual practice in which any devotee is allowed to contact the sacred. Rather than simply watching a priest, minister, deacon or rabbi as he communes with that which is sacred, pagan ritual actively includes all participants. I my particular circle, everyone has a part in planning ritual, and everyone takes a primary role in each ritual.

Pagnisim/Heathenism to me equals respect and love for the sacred in Nature, linking me with the elements in branch, tooth and claw, connecting me to the not so secret mysteries of the World and universe.

I start this response, and appologise to any reader for probably repeating much of what has already been said by others. I believe. that the faith found me, as much as I found it. I have been Pagan for more years than I remember, I always disliked Christian teachings, they weren't for me. I disliked being told that what I thought was wrong, I hated being told I would 'Go to a Bad Place' If I didn't conform. I didn't like having to read 'BC' In a factual History books. It bugged me to keep hearing about civilisation only came to be through the Romans. I knew in my heart that it was Hogwash. So I denied it, I sought out my own answers to the Bible stories. Few of these come close to holding water. Most are older than the bible, most have been rewritten many times, few have have any claim to being the truth. So I became a Witch, If anything, I'm more religious now, than I was in my youth. I have an Altar in my room, I follow the moons phases and tthe old calender. In short, I am me. Blessed Be to all who read this. . .

I have been interested in Paganism since I was sixteen years old. I always felt there was something lacking in Monotheistic faiths. During my study of divination, I came across a book on Runes. It explained the origins of the symbols, and when I read about the god Odin, I knew the path was right for me. I can only compare my discovery of Odin to the Christian idea of finding Jesus. I find it helpful in my life to know that the gods, all of them, are always keeping thier eye on me.

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